I can't count the number of times over the years that people have asked me this same question. Or which car is the best to buy. Which will last the longest.
I finally came up with the correct answer about 10 years ago. My answer is: The best cars on the road are those whose owners keep up with the maintenance schedules religiously.
Until around the mid ninetys american cars were still being built on 1960's ideas. they just wouldn't last long. mabe 150K or so before major work/repairs were required. Since then the internal engine specifications have tightened up to the point that american engines are as good as anyone else's SO LONG AS MAINTENANCE IS NOT NEGLECTED!!! Even the jap cars would fail in short order if maintenance was ignored or neglected. Ok, so we're all here because we care about our cars and want to take the best care we are able of them. The above paragraph was mostly for those who wait until their oil light comes on before opening the hood...and never change the oil.
Of the american cars i have found the following: Ford has the most advanced control systems in the world. GM is the most user friendly. Chrysler, well; they are just chrysler...i did like the old 2.5L four cylinders - easy to fix. computer controls were pretty much garbage though.
SO, if one is well versed with ford systems; then they have a pretty good vehicle. Not, however, my choice.
GM is my pick for the best built american car. the small block V-8 has been around since the 50's and the 4.3L V-6 is nothing more than a 350 small block with the back two cylinders chopped off. The 3.8L was a great engine and the other V-6 engines always had pretty good reliability. I just wish they would get their act together concerning gas mileage though!!